On Sunday, June 22, 2008 a 10-year old lab mix, named Chai, sustained a severe injury from a product produced by Four Paws Inc. The referenced toy is the pimple ball with bell. (Item #20227-001, UPC Code 0 4566320227 9)
While chewing on the toy, a vacuum was created and it effectively sucked Chai's tongue into the hole in the ball. Chai's vet stated, this likely occurred because there is not a second hole in the ball preventing the vacuum effect from happening. The owner became aware of this issue when Chai approached a friend at her home whimpering with the ball in his mouth. She tried unsuccessfully to remove the ball but the tongue had swollen and could not be released.
Chai was taken to the Animal Medical Center (an emergency care facility in New York City) and was treated to have the ball removed. Because the size of the opening on the ball was so small, all circulation to his tongue was cut off. The doctors had to sedate him in order to remove it. Once the ball was removed, his tongue swelled to the point that he could no longer put it in his mouth. Chai was sent home with care instructions and to be observed overnight for any changes.
By the following morning Chai’s tongue had swollen even more.
He was taken to his regular vet for treatment. He was admitted and kept sedated for a period of three days during which time they were treating his wounds and waiting to determine how much of his tongue could be saved. On June 26, 2008 Chai had his tongue amputated.
This toy HAS NOT been recalled by Four Paws, Inc. If you have this toy, throw it away to prevent injury to your beloved pet.
